Check Wiring of Control Sticks

 

This evening I decided I should check the continuity of the control stick wiring.  I used a multi-meter to make sure the connections to the PTT switches are good.  I hooked up the leads to the multi-meter and connected the ends of the control stick wires with short leads.  Both sticks work just fine.  I also pulled the foam grips down the control sticks and used black electrical tape to secure the PTT button holder tops to the control sticks.  I then pushed the foam grips back up to the top of the sticks.  Now the control sticks are ready to be installed in the airplane.

Interior Paint and Control Sticks

 

 

I masked off the inside of the left air vent attachment.  I sprayed a coat of the interior finish.  These sections will be visible through the mesh over the vent area.  I also sprayed some finish on the step bulkhead reinforcement angles.  These will show through the bulkhead covering.

 

I installed the PTT switches (push-to-talk) and hand grips on the control sticks.  Instead of buying bicycle hand grips I purchased some stick grips from the Ray Allen Company.  Other RV-12 builders have indicated these are high quality grips and PTT switches.  Another builder had to replace the PTT from Vans so I decided to go with the Ray Allen grips out of the chute.   I cut off the pre-wired switches and soldered the wires to the Ray Allen switches.  

 

I had to install the PTT switches into the top of the stick grips with tiny little Phillips head screws.  I then pulled the wires through the control sticks.  I used a vacuum to pull a string through the tube and then pulled the wires.   The first stick went together pretty easily.  The second did not want to let the wires pull through.  It took several different attempts to get the wires around the bends and up through the top of the stick.  I finally got them finished.  The control sticks are now ready to be installed in the airplane.

Install Spar Pins

I removed the masking tape and installed the pin stoppers and screws.  I then put the pins into the spar bushings in the fuselage.  I am now ready to install the wings on Saturday.

Paint Spar Pins

 

 

This afternoon I put a coat of black Hammered paint on the spar pins.  It is really hard to see how they look in the picture.  Suffice it to say I think I will need to sand them off and recoat them.  I will do so next week.

Interior Paint and Spar Pins

This evening I repainted the inside surface of the air vents.  I had originally painted them grey, but with the interior finishes grey does not work.  I repainted them with the new beige color I have selected to go with the upholstery and vinyl trim.  I think they turned out great.

 

I finished the assembly of the spar pins.  Afterwards I removed the pin stoppers and springs and used a Scotch Brite pad to prep the pin stopper tubes and the ends of the spar pins for primer.  I masked off the portion of the spar pins that will inserted into the spar bushings.  I them primed the stopper tubes and the ends of the spar pins.  I think I will paint this portion of the pins and tubes with black Hammer Tone paint to match the instrument panel.

Spar Pins Continued

 

This evening I stopped at Home Depot and purchased some Loctite 1 Minute Epoxy.  I filled the pin stoppers and allowed the epoxy to set.  Next I inserted the springs and the pin stoppers into the spar pin stopper tubes and installed the screw with the ¼" bushing.  The pins retract and return without any trouble.  I tried a spar pin in the left spar connection.  It appears to fit and install without any difficulty.  Next I need to install and test the reed switches.

It is pretty cold today so I am bringing the spar pins inside the house to allow the epoxy to cure in a little bit warmer area.

Spar Pins

 

This evening I started to work on the spar pins.  The aluminum stopper pins would not slide into the spar pin handles.  I used the drill press and some emery cloth and Scotch Brite pads to reduce the diameter of the stopper pins so they would slide into the tubes.  I have gathered all of the parts together except for the springs.  I need to purchase some epoxy so I can seal the magnets in the stopper pins.  The epoxy I had in the shop was too old and I couldn't get it out of the applicator.

 

I also checked the flaperon torque rod weldments.  Van's issued a Safety Bulletin because 2-builders have discovered the welds to be incomplete on these parts.  I checked my parts per the SB and verified they are welded correctly.